Managing Attorney

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

9d•$125,000 - $142,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Litigation, the Managing Attorney provides leadership and management for Public Counsel’s impact litigation team. In partnership with the Director of Litigation, the Managing Attorney helps oversee OUL’s litigation docket and ensures the effective staffing and execution of high-impact cases arising from Public Counsel’s direct services work and community-identified needs. The Managing Attorney supervises, mentors, and supports OUL attorneys, fellows, and interns, fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture and ensuring high-quality advocacy. The role includes responsibility for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, supervising, and performance management. The Managing Attorney may serve as lead counsel in select matters and works closely with Directing Attorneys and the Senior Special Counsel for Strategic Litigation to support coordinated cross-team litigation. The position involves OUL program administration, including budgeting, grant compliance, and pro bono engagement, as well as external communications and relationship-building to strengthen the reach and impact of OUL’s work.

Requirements

At least 10 years of legal experience
Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of any state bar (if not a member of the State Bar of California, must be prepared to join)
Significant management and mentorship experience, including assembling effective teams, providing sustained and meaningful supervision, overseeing case assignments, maintaining team morale, and teaching and cultivating the talents of more junior staff
Significant experience creating, implementing, and sustaining systems and procedures designed to ensure the smooth functioning of legal teams and cases
Experience in complex, high-stakes, or multi-party litigation, including in overall case management, investigations, pleadings, discovery, dispositive motions, trial work, appeals, settlements, and settlement implementation
Exceptional brief writing and editing skills, with a record of producing or overseeing top-quality trial and/or appellate filings
Experience with oral advocacy, including arguing motions or appeals in state and federal courts
Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and refine novel or complex legal theories
Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities Public Counsel serves
Experience and comfort working with clients living in poverty, including clients experiencing addiction or mental health issues
Demonstrated experience with and commitment to trauma-informed legal advocacy
Ability to work cooperatively across teams, levels, and functions within the organization and to navigate difficult conversations and address conflict effectively
Excellent judgment and discretion as well as excellent interpersonal, management, and organizational skills that gain and sustain respect internally and with external partners
Inspiring, decisive, collaborative, transparent, and flexible leadership style
High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, compassionate, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset

Nice To Haves

Experience developing strategic communications and engaging with press preferred
Leadership experience and vision for—as well as demonstrated commitment to—advancing justice, with experience working in coalition with pro bono co-counsel, policy advocates, and community stakeholders preferred

Responsibilities

Attorney, Fellow & Intern Supervision and Mentorship
Substantive Litigation, Cross-Team Collaboration, and Case Staffing
External Engagement and Program Administration

Benefits

Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
Dental and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off (per year): 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment 12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs 2 personal observance days
11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
Additional benefits:
403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
Professional development support and opportunities
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization